GRAPHIC DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION, CREATIVE THINGS
March , 2021
Burn-Out Busters
Three things to help combat creative sluggishness.
Life nowadays is a non-stop barrage of emails, work, and Clorox. It's no wonder that burnout has been a theme throughout the pandemic itself!
It's good to check in and figure out what it is you need to keep going if you're in a creative void. Let me assure you being in a funk is normal and it would be okay to soak in it IF THERE WASN'T pressing deadlines or bills to pay. Luckily, I have figured out a few ways to snap back into a creative mindset.
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Let's dive in.
The workout routine.
Yep, there's no denying it. Moving is good for you, and even better for resetting your brain. Establishing a near-daily ritual of bodily activity is great for getting back in-the-zone. I've found if I can't quite get anything done, it's a good excuse to get away from my project for a bit and use a different part of my brain and body.
Moving, especially when you're following along with some sort of choreographed routine, actually stimulates and creates new neurological pathways in your brain. These small, but mighty brain connections actually help reset your mind and can give you the juice you need to finish up a project.
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In addition, the endorphins you get from straining your cardiovascular system and getting a good sweat going cannot be beaten! Eustress is good stress!
So...give yourself a time frame each day where you work out. This should be YOUR TIME. No emails, no calls, no laundry, no excuses. For me, anytime between the hours of 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM I give myself 20 - 65 minutes of physical activity.
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No gym membership, no problem. Get outside or check out the crazy amount of workouts on Youtube. My favorite, the GOAT, my daily indulgence belongs to Queen Chloe Ting. Whose free, butt-kicking routines, keep me fit, motivated, and hungry. No equipment, fees, or negative vibes!
Next up:
Let's get fictional.
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Perhaps it's just because I get to focus on someone else's creative synapse, but when I feel stuck, or just wholly unmotivated, some fiction is just what the doctor ordered.
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There are two methods I would prescribe for this and that's either reading some fiction, comics, or picture books or indulging in some fictional podcast listening! That's right, there's no shortage of improvised or fiction based listening out there. So start that search and start flexing that imagination muscle!
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If books are your thing. Find your local bookstore's and deep dive into reviews on what to read next: Bookshop.org
Lastly,
Sensation vacation.
You're probably wondering, what the eff-you-cee-kay does that mean? Well, first, there's no need to get rude! Have you ever gotten a wide-awake feeling when you first drink a cup of hot coffee, have a surge of cold water hit you in the shower, or have a bite of something super spicy? Then you're probably familiar with rush feel right after. This is due to a chemical reaction happening in your brain. Serotonin and other chemicals start cranking when a shock of new sensation floods your body. And sometimes if you're feeling a bit creatively sluggish this is exactly what you need!
For a temporary fix, try a little shock to your taste buds!
Something extra hot, like a cup of tea/coffee, or extra cold like ice cream and heading back to your desk. You'll be surprised at how taking a little sensation-vacation can help.
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If you're feeling brave try my CAYENNE ELIXR FIXER:
COLD VERSION:
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Mix
1/8 tsp of ground ginger (you could mash up fresh)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbl lemon juice
2 Tbl Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 Cup ginger ale (my favorite is Zevia Ginger Ale)
Pour over ice to make it extra cold, suck it through a straw and YOWZA!